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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Bishop- Pope outed himself.....as a Jesuit

Bishop of Eichstätt: It is fascinating to see "the blooming of religious vocations in the young churches". There are very many in India, although the number of Catholics living there is "relatively modest".

The bishop of Eichstätt Gregor Maria Hanke has experienced the "enthusiastic and dedicated Jesuit" Pope Francis in Rome. During the recent General Assembly of the Congregation for Religious the pope had "really outed himself when meeting us as the son of Saint Ignatius," Hanke said in an interview with the "Church newspaper for the Diocese of Eichstätt".

The Bishop of Eichstätt is himself a Benedictine and had for the first time taken part in a plenary session of the Congregation from 25th to 29th of November. He commented at the beginning of the "year of spiritual vocations" which has been proclaimed by Pope

Hanke told the diocesan newspaper that the growth of the orders "is located in Africa, Asia, and in some orders even in Latin America." Europe and North America were "no longer in the front row." It was fascinating to see "the bloom in religious vocations in the young churches". There are very many in India, although the number of Catholics living there was "relatively modest". At the same time it should not be forgotten that also in Europe there is new growth, "albeit at a low level."

Orders as well as priestly vocations could "not recruit" like other occupations in the labour market, said the bishop. The awakening and promotion of vocations "begins with the fact that we allow young people spaces for tangible faith". Religious Christians should exemplify "the universal call to holiness" in an exemplary and courageous manner. Exactly where a Christian lives and works, "a footprint, or maybe even better, the imprint of his heart should be recognizable." That must "proceed in a slighty different manner than otherwise is found in the laws of economics and society".